There will be a brief pause this weekend in the frenzy leading up to next month's Breeders' Cup while the Thoroughbred precincts of Far Hills and Etobicoke are heard from.

Those lucky enough to be at Longchamp on the afternoon of Oct. 4 were able to witness the final, glorious competitive appearance of Europe's most celebrated racehorse, Sea the Stars, as he galloped into retirement by winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Ribot, Sea-Bird, Allez France . . . move over.

NEW YORK - By all overseas accounts and even to an American eye that has seen him only on tape, Sea the Stars is clearly an outstanding racehorse. By most of those same accounts, however, he also is allegedly one of the four or five greatest racehorses ever to look through a bridle.

What am I missing? What exactly has this obviously excellent colt accomplished in an 8-for-9 career that prompts even Time magazine to ask if he is the "greatest racehorse ever"?

ARCADIA, Calif. Sunday's racing at Santa Anita brings two more West Coast preps for major Breeders' Cup races next month, but the Grade 1 labels on the side of the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship and Ancient Title Stakes should read something like this: "A win in this race does not guarantee squat come Breeders' Cup time, so enjoy it while you can."

ARCADIA, Calif. - Railbirds, heads up. Saturday will be a big day at Santa Anita Park, with just about every older horse who matters stepping up to run in one of four important events offered by the Oak Tree Racing Association. They all figure they're good enough to run in the Breeders' Cup four weeks later. We'll see. But just for kicks, when the Goodwood Stakes comes around and the swells start to gather in the walking ring, try shouting, "Hey, pal, won a Kentucky Derby lately?" and see who turns around.

NEW YORK - In the middle of a week in which there was more than enough to talk about in the world of racing - from Sea the Stars's impressive Arc victory last Sunday to Zenyatta's bid for a 13-for-13 record amid nine Grade 1 races this Saturday - racing fans, at least in New York, were suddenly more concerned about which track would be open next July 23 through July 26.

Such is the power of Saratoga.

ARCADIA, Calif. - On Feb. 19, 1973, the field for the San Luis Obispo Handicap at Santa Anita was rounding the final turn on the main track when, in stunning succession, Tuqui and then Autobiography broke down and fell. Tuqui was a major stakes winner on the grass who was trained by Lazaro Barrera. Autobiography, trained by Frank Martin, was the reigning Eclipse Award champion among older males. Neither horse could be saved.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Someone has this wrong, and I don't think it is the Europeans.

In this country, the New York Times ran the story as one short paragraph, in a box titled Sports Briefing, next to a picture of 105 surfers riding the same wave simultaneously in Cape Town, South Africa, in a quest for a spot in Guinness's world records.

ARCADIA, Calif. - There is an easy explanation for the fact that a total of 25 foals of 2007 have been entered to run Sunday in Oak Tree's Norfolk Stakes and Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita.

It is not because they are both Grade 1 events, whatever that's worth.

It is not because they both carry purses of $300,000, which is nice.

And it is not because they are all bred for the 1 1/16 miles and crying for the distance, although by this time of year that's the way it should be.

ARCADIA, Calif. - In a season highlighted by the elevation of the West's own Tiznow to a pedestal in the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, one would think Saturday's 20th presentation of the California Cup at Santa Anita would provide an opportunity to wave the flag - there's a bear on it - and sing the praises of the sons and daughters of the Golden State.

Too bad none of them showed up.